North Carolina ports fiscal year cargo volumes up 24.5%

North Carolina ports fiscal year cargo volumes up 24.5%

   North Carolina's ports of Morehead City and Wilmington reported a combined 24.5-percent cargo growth in the North Carolina State Ports Authority's fiscal year ended June 30.

   Wilmington set a new record for breakbulk cargo at 1.05 million tons, breaking the port's previous 2002 record when it broke the 1-million-ton barrier for the first time.

   'The new 42-foot channel came into play at the port of Wilmington for the last five months of the period, allowing customers to carry larger volumes, with increases in all cargo categories,' said Tom Eagar, the port authority's chief executive officer.

   Commodities showing significant growth at Wilmington were import lumber, up 50 percent, and import cement, up 200 percent. Fertilizer imports also increased, and export woodpulp volumes rose 5 percent.

   At Morehead City, phosphate exports climbed 55 percent, breaking the 1 million ton mark for the first time in four years, and scrap steel imports more than tripled. Sulphur products increased 35 percent.